Devonport Times - 28-24 April 2008 - Devonport City Council

NEWSFinding family treasureWhen Ian Smith’s old photoalbum appeared in theDevonport Times recently,his family could not believetheir eyes. ReporterROCHELLE GALLOWAYspoke to Mr Smith’s niece,Julia Baldock, and her aunt,Linda Appleby, about thehappy discovery.FAMILY photographsare like treasureaccording to JuliaBaldock and LindaAppleby — something youdo not come across often.When the DevonportTimes printed a story onan album found by DaveKelly in Mackay,Queensland, Linda andJulia could not believetheir luck.Spread across Page 3were photos of Julia’smother, Kath, as a younggirl and her mother’sbrother, Ian Smith.‘‘I was ecstatic,’’ Juliasaid.‘‘I don’t have manyfamily photos.‘‘I think Mum was about15 years old (in thephotos).’’Julia’s aunt, Linda, whois 88 years old, was evenGENERATIONS: Julia Baldock and her aunt, Linda, with Julia’ssons Matt and Justin and grand-daughter Alyssa.more excited, havingmade the discovery whileJulia was visiting fromVictoria.‘‘I went ‘oh my goodness,that is Ian Smith’,’’ Lindasaid.‘‘I had to phone Juliastraight away.’’Julia’s mother marriedLinda’s brother, WalterAppleby, when she wasjust 19 years old.‘‘Ian Smith was the bestman in Kath and Walter’swedding,’’ Linda said.‘‘And little Helen (whoalso appears in the album)was a flower girl.’’Kath and Walter hadfour children, blondehairedJulia, and threeboys, Gary, Davidand Alan.‘‘Gary will be veryinterested in the photos,’’Linda said.Both Linda and Juliabelieve the photo albumwas found in aQueensland second-handshop after Ian died.‘‘Uncle Ian lived inQueensland and I thinkhis son must have packedup his stuff,’’ Julia said.‘‘His son didn’t go muchon keeping those things,’’Linda added.Julia said she wasplanning on gettingtogether with her threebrothers to enjoy thephoto album.‘‘This is of great interestto us,’’ she said.PRICELESS: Linda Appleby, of Devonport, was surprised to see old photos of her extendedfamily published in the Devonport Times after the album was found in a Queensland secondhandstore. Picture: Rochelle Galloway.A world of opportunityARE you 15-30 years old,love having fun, meeting newpeople and learning newskills? Want to go on aninterstate or eveninternational exchange?Rural Youth Organisationof Tasmania offers all theseopportunities and more andthe Devonport club is only astone’s throw away.Meetings are held monthlyat the Moriarty Hall andsocial meetings are spreadnear and far.The club is currentlyhosting four internationalexchange members fromNorthern Ireland, Sweden,England and Scotland.Local club members and thevisitors all benefit fromcultural learning andwonderful friendships. Tripslast from six weeks to sixmonths.For more information aboutthe Rural YouthOrganisation, contact JennaDuff on 0438 911 456.■ The Rural Youth Organisationis giving away a family pass toAgfest. To enter, fill in thecoupon.Page 4 Devonport Times April 2008